PM East off to 2-0 start after beating ES North

BUSHKILL — Pocono Mountain East is 2-0 for just the second time in 20 years.

MIKE KUHNS

BUSHKILL — Pocono Mountain East is 2-0 for just the second time in 20 years.

The Cardinals can thank running back Corey Castillion and a hungry defense for it.

Castillion ran for 160 yards and three touchdowns and returned the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown as the Cardinals beat East Stroudsburg North 34-8 in Mountain Valley Conference football Friday night.

In a series that has been close in recent years, the Cardinals jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead and never looked back. The rest fell into the hands of Pocono East's defense, which didn't allow a point in the second half and forced two fumbles.

"Three of the last four years this game's come down to the final minute," PM East coach Phil Dorn said. "North is a great program and Chuck has done a fantastic job there. To get out of this place with a victory speaks volumes for our kids."

After an opening-day 28-27 overtime victory over Dieruff, the Cardinals' defense played much better in Week 2. Quarterback Will Quiles led Eastburg North (1-1) with 162 yards and Khair Bowman found the end zone in the first quarter, but Pocono took a 21-8 lead at the half.

ES North had a good drive in the third quarter, but a holding penalty negated a touchdown run. Quiles missed on two passes that followed and the Cardinals took over on downs.

"This offense, I call it the maze. How do you solve the maze," Dorn said of North's triple option threat. "The kids did a fantastic job. Thank God we only have to see them once a year."

The defense hounded North's attack as well. North put the ball on the ground five times, losing two fumbles. East's defensive line won the battle up front and went home with a momentum-building victory.

"The last couple years other teams could have been 2-0, too," Dorn said. "I told them we have to practice harder this week and get back to work."

Pocono Mountain East hosts Lehighton on Friday night.

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